DESI launches Queensland’s largest collection of water quality data
Issued: 9 May 2024
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has launched a comprehensive online portal granting easy access to millions of Queensland water quality data points dating back 38 years.
Information available on the new Tahbil webpage is a game changer for the way that water quality data is accessed and used to inform decision making by governments, industry and community groups.
This is the first time this collection of data has been made available for anyone to access from the one place.
Tahbil, meaning fresh water in the Turrbal language, hosts more than 3 million data points from water samples taken from across Queensland by more than 30 individuals and organisations.
This includes the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Indigenous rangers, landcare groups, industry and property owners.
The launch of Tahbil delivers on a recommendation from the Senate inquiry into the Great Barrier Reef about a commitment to an open data policy, and identifying leading and sustainable practices.
Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson said Tahbil empowers Queenslanders to learn more about the health of their local waterways.
“Queenslanders are passionate about protecting and improving their waterways and marine ecosystems, with many showing an active interest in the health and sustainability of these areas,” Professor Wilson said.
“Water quality monitoring is one of the best tools we have to understand the state of our natural environment, including the Great Barrier Reef.
“Tahbil allows everyone to access decades of information to paint a fulsome picture of our watercourses, to help decision makers prioritise resources, inform policy and support environmental and land management organisations.
“I acknowledge the hard work of all those who have contributed to this collection of data, and encourage everyone to jump on the easy-to-use Tahbil portal and learn more about your local environment.”
Access Tahbil portal.